HRH Crown Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka has been appointed as Tonga's first High Commissioner to Australia, and will take up the post at the end of August.

In a statement from the Tonga Prime Minister's Office today, the Prime Minister Dr Feleti Sevele (who is still in Beijing) announced the appointment.

He stated that the appointment signified the importance that the government "places on the close and cordial relationship between Tonga and Australia.".

The appointment was approved by the King in Council on July 25 and the Australian Government had welcomed the Tonga Government's request to establish a diplomatic mission in Canberra.

Crown Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka is scheduled to present his letter of Credentials to HE Major General Michael Jeffery, AC, CVO, MC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia on August 28.